The very first time I listened to a podcast was five years ago. I was browsing through iTunes, looking up wrestling terms, and CM Punk popped up in the search results. But attached to CM Punk’s name was The Art of Wrestling with Colt Cabana. Curious, I clicked on it and saw a picture of Colt Cabana in a Ring of Honor black tee in front of a library background. [click here] So I clicked play expecting the traditional 30 second clip as it was customary with every song on iTunes. But much to my surprise, it continued well past the 30 second mark and went on for about an hour of audio. After listening to Punk, and remember, this was way before the infamous pipe-bomb, I wanted more. So I went back to the first episode (Punk’s was episode 2) and I listened to SonjayDutt. And before I knew it, I was subscribed and have listened to every episode since.

That was my first introduction into the now over-saturated world of pro wrestling podcasts. Colt’s was the first of its kind and still hold it with high regard. Listening to Punk before he became a megastar; to Claudio Castagnoli (Cesaro), Chris Hero (Kassius Ohno), Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards while they still wrestled for Ring of Honor; to Samoa Joe while he was wrestling for TNA; to Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan) before being signed to WWE; to Sara Del Rey before she became the trainer for the women wrestlers over at the WWE Performance Center; and to Kevin Steen, listening to his insecurities about the wrestling business long before signing with WWE as Kevin Owens.

Colt Cabana always states at the intro that the Art of Wrestling Podcast is a life podcast, a personal journey into the hearts and souls of these wrestlers. Basically these stories have entertained me and made me feel a close bond with my favorite wrestlers. It has also helped me get to know new wrestlers that I wasn’t familiar with. Then I go back and think, where have I heard of this guy before? And after 5 years and counting, the answer is most likely from the Art of Wrestling Podcast.

One of my goals as a wrestling fan is to travel to Glasgow or Edinburg and attend a live Art of Wrestling Podcast among the Scotts. If you ever take the time to listen to the live shows, it sounds like so much fun and definitely an experience worth having.

But among my love of AOW, I have ventured out and accepted other podcasts. Some I’ve dropped, and others I continue to be faithful. ::Glass Shatters:: When I heard that Stone Cold Steve “Mutha F%@$” Austin was starting up his own can of audio whoopass known as The Steve Austin Show, how could you say no to the Rattlesnake? That’s not to say that there haven’t been some episodes that were chicken sh-t that he tried making into chicken salad, but sometimes it is what it is. I’ve loved his recent interviews with Razor Ramon, Diamond Dallas Page, and Jake “The Snake” Roberts. I’ve also loved his series of episodes talking to Paul Heyman. And let’s not forget that his success on PodcastOne.com and his legendary status in WWE also launched the very first live video podcast on the WWE Network, with the first guest being none other than Vince McMahon. He’s gone on to have his WWE special with Triple H, Paul Heyman, Paige, Edge & Christian, and soon enough… Brock Lesnar.

I always get a kick out of those live Stone Cold Podcast episodes, but another wrestler turned podcaster who I thoroughly enjoy is Chris Jericho on Talk is Jericho. What I love about TIJ is that Jericho is a natural entertainer and it translates beautifully on audio. Plus, he–like Colt–goes out of his way to have sit-down interviews with his guests. And it’s not just wrestling guests, it’s music guests, conspiracy and paranormal theorists, TV actors, movie directors, porn stars! (By the way, Stormy Daniels… awesome!) The list goes on and on with the diversity of the guests he has on his show. Talk is Jericho is not just another wrestling podcast, it’s an entertainment podcast diving into all walks of entertainment.

Those are my top three wrestling podcasts that I listen to religiously. But I do often lend an ear to The Ross Report with Jim Ross and WOOOOO! Nation with “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair for the sole reason that I respect the hell out of those two. I would listen to every episode, but I only have so many hours in a day. But give those guys a listen as well, great stuff.

And if by chance you don’t know how to listen to these great podcasts, subscribe and download them off iTunes if you have an iPhone, or if you are like me and have sided with the force known as Samsung Galaxy, the Podcast Addict app has been awesome with all episodes streaming seamlessly.

How about you? Which podcast do you love listening to? And it doesn’t have to be a podcast about wrestling. Just share your likes and dislikes in the comment section below!

Or if you just want to hit me up, you can do so on the twitter @WrestlingTimesX or follow my interests and journey to a healthier fit lifestyle on my instagram @losfriday!

Also, make sure to like this post and share it. The more people who like it and share it, the more likely I’ll continue to rant about wrestling!

Aksana, a beautiful Lithuanian fitness model, and former arm candy of Theodore Long, has now aligned herself with SmackDown’s new comer Antonio Cesaro. A 6 ft 5 Swiss pro wrestler, Antonio has made quite a name for himself in Florida Championship Wrestling. His most recent accomplishment has been wrestling Richie Steamboat, the FCW 15 Champion, to two title match draws. The last of the two–a special 20-minute title match–called upon the services of WWE Hall of Fame Jim Ross to call the action alongside William Regal. Antonio’s physique, stamina and endurance are what compelled John Laurinaitis to call him up to the main roster.

But who is Antonio Cesaro?

Outside the glamorous world of the WWE Universe, Antonio gained recognition wrestling under his real name — Claudio Castagnoli.

AY!!! He is Very European.

Having received training in his homeland from StigMasta Rappo, in England from Dave Taylor, and in the United States from both Mike Quackenbush and Chris Hero, Castagnoli has accustomed himself to different wrestling styles.

Teaming up with his former mentor, Castagnoli and Chris Hero formed The Kings of Wrestling in 2005 in Chikara. The two went on to become Chikara’s first-ever Campeonatos de Parejas tag team champions, met up again in Combat Zone Wrestling to win its World tag belts on two occasions, earned the tag titles in Juggalo Championship Wrestling, and have won the ROH World Tag Team championships twice. Their final tag team title run–of 364 days–is the longest in Ring of Honor Wrestling history.

Aside from being a tag team specialist, Castagnoli has earned considerable praise as a singles competitor. He made a serious run for the ROH World title against Takeshi Morishima and Nigel McGuinness. Yet it wasn’t until 2010 at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla’s The Curse of Guerrilla Island that Castagnoli would win his first major singles title in the United States — the PWG World championship.

On September 16, 2011, Castagnoli signed with WWE and was sent to FCW under his new name – Antonio Cesaro. Armed with the Very European Uppercut, Gotch Style Neutralizer cradle piledriver, and, the move that defies gravity, UFO Spinning Argentine backbreaker rack (with no hands), Antonio Cesaro is a force to be reckoned with in the WWE.

Wish to learn more about SmackDown’s newest superstar? Check out Claudio Castagnoli’s interview with Colt Cabana on Art of Wrestling. [listen now]

That’s it for this post, feel free to check us out on YouTube – WTX Video Podcast. My buddies and I perform a wrestling video podcast where we talk wrestling, which then leads into crazy comedy sketches. Support us on YouTube, like us on Facebook, and follow me on the twitter @WrestlingTimesX.